Analyzer and method of manufacturing the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to an analytical tool (X 1 ) including a first and a second plate elements ( 1, 3 ), a flow path ( 4 ) defined between the plate elements ( 1, 3 ) and an exhaust port ( 31 ) for discharging gas from the flow path ( 4 ). The exhaust port ( 31 ) is provided at the first plate element ( 3 ) and includes a portion which is offset in a thickness direction of the first plate element ( 3 ) from the main body ( 3 A) of the first plate element ( 3 ). Preferably, the first plate element ( 3 ) includes a projection ( 51 ) integrally formed on the first plate element ( 3 ) and defining the exhaust port ( 31 ).

1. An analytical tool comprising a first and a second plate elements, a flow path defined between the plate elements and including a sample introduction port, and an exhaust port for discharging gas from the flow path,
 the first plate element including a flat main body, 
 the exhaust port being provided on the first plate element and including an offset portion which is offset in a thickness direction of the main body, the offset portion of the exhaust port is located above the flow path, with the first plate element being present in a plane between the offset portion and the flow path, 
 wherein the offset portion of the exhaust port is located higher than the sample introduction port. 
 
     
     
       2. The analytical tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the offset portion projects from the main body and is integrally formed on the main body for defining the exhaust port. 
     
     
       3. The analytical tool according to  claim 2 , wherein the offset portion is provided by deforming part of the first plate element. 
     
     
       4. The analytical tool according to  claim 2 , wherein the offset portion comprises a cut-and-raised piece. 
     
     
       5. The analytical tool according to  claim 2 , wherein the offset portion is in a form of a dome. 
     
     
       6. The analytical tool according to  claim 5 , wherein the offset portion includes at least one opening to serve as the exhaust port. 
     
     
       7. The analytical tool according to  claim 2 , wherein the offset portion is in a form of a bridge. 
     
     
       8. The analytical tool according to  claim 7 , wherein the offset portion includes a pair of openings which open in a horizontal direction and serve as the exhaust port. 
     
     
       9. A method of manufacturing an analytical tool, the method comprising:
 a first step of forming a first plate member including a flat main body and an exhaust port including an offset portion which opens at a position offset in a thickness direction of the main body; and 
 a second step of bonding a second plate member to the first plate member at a predetermined distance for forming a flow path defined between the first plate member and the second plate member, the flow path including a sample introduction port; 
 wherein the offset portion of the exhaust port is located above the flow path, with the first plate member being present in a plane between the offset portion and the flow path, 
 and the offset portion of the exhaust port is located higher than the sample introduction port. 
 
     
     
       10. The method of manufacturing an analytical tool according to  claim 9 , wherein said exhaust port is formed by press working a flat plate. 
     
     
       11. The method of manufacturing an analytical tool according to  claim 10 , wherein the flat plate is a plate made of a thermoplastic resin; and
 wherein the press working is performed with the flat plate heated to be thermally deformable. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of manufacturing an analytical tool according to  claim 10 , wherein, in the press working, part of the flat plate is cut and raised to form said exhaust port. 
     
     
       13. The method of manufacturing an analytical tool according to  claim 10 , wherein the first step comprises forming a cut in the flat plate before the press working is performed. 
     
     
       14. The method of manufacturing an analytical tool according to  claim 13 , wherein the flat plate is a plate made of a thermoplastic resin; and
 wherein the press working comprises compressing a portion adjacent to the cut for thermal deformation with the flat plate heated to be thermally deformable.